Park Shin Hye’s ‘The Judge From Hell’ Sees Fiery Rise in Ratings as ‘Love Next Door’ Holds Steady!

This weekend’s TV drama viewership ratings in South Korea saw significant movement as fan-favorite shows approach their finales. According to Nielsen Korea, the ratings for The Judge From Hell saw a major rise, while Love Next Door maintained its steady ratings as it prepares for its final episode on October 6. Here’s a closer look at the viewership ratings for Saturday, October 5.

'The Judge From Hell' Sees a Significant Rating Increase

The Judge From Hell, starring Park Shin Hye, has grabbed viewers’ attention with its gripping storyline. The latest episode garnered an impressive 13.1 percent viewership rating, which is a significant jump from the previous episode’s 9.1 percent, marking a 4 percent increase.

This mystery-thriller drama tells the story of an elite judge, played by Park Shin Hye, who appears cold and strict but is, in fact, a demon sent to Earth to punish criminals. She works alongside a smart yet emotionally scarred detective. Together, they confront criminals who refuse to repent for their actions, drastically altering the course of their lives. As the drama builds toward its climax, the ratings reflect the audience's deepening interest in this unique storyline.

'Love Next Door' Maintains Ratings as Finale Approaches

Meanwhile, Love Next Door, a romance comedy starring Jung Hae In and Jung So Min, maintained a stable viewership rating of 6.1 percent. The drama has consistently topped its timeslot, thanks to its charming storyline about two childhood neighbors who slowly fall in love after reconnecting as adults.

Jung So Min plays the character Baek Seok Ryu, a driven young woman who resigns from her high-paying job under unforeseen circumstances. On the other hand, Jung Hae In portrays Choi Seung Hyo, a successful architect with a quiet demeanor. As the drama wraps up with its finale on October 6, fans are eagerly waiting to see how the characters' love story unfolds.

Low Ratings for 'DNA Lovers' Ahead of Its Finale

DNA Lovers, a drama exploring relationships based on genetic compatibility, struggled with ratings ahead of its finale. The show earned just 0.7 percent in viewership ratings, making it one of the lower-rated shows of the week. The drama follows a researcher who embarks on a journey to find a genetically compatible partner after breaking up with her playboy boyfriend. The narrative features quirky characters, including an obstetrician-gynecologist and a firefighter, but has failed to capture widespread audience interest.

'Iron Family' Dominates with Strong Ratings

In contrast, the mystery drama Iron Family continues to lead the pack with an impressive 14.4 percent viewership rating. The series revolves around a family of three generations, all of whom are cleaners. After an unexpected windfall, they hope to improve their lives. The show’s focus on family dynamics and its portrayal of the struggles and ambitions of working-class individuals in modern society have resonated with viewers, keeping it at the top of the ratings chart.

Conclusion

This week saw a variety of performances in terms of viewership. While The Judge From Hell continues to rise in popularity with its unique supernatural storyline, Love Next Door has held steady as it prepares to wrap up. Meanwhile, Iron Family has remained a consistent leader, captivating audiences with its family-oriented narrative. On the other hand, DNA Lovers has struggled to maintain viewership, making it one of the weaker contenders this week. As these dramas move toward their finales, it will be interesting to see how viewership evolves.